RUNNING seven marathons in seven days isn\u2019t for the faint of heart but Geelong local Richard Egan is just warming up.<\/p>\n
Richie is taking part in Bravehearts\u2019 seventh annual 777 Marathon in June, where 39 runners tackle seven marathons over seven days.<\/p>\n
The Bravehearts challenge forms part of the 21-year-old\u2019s plan to run 100 marathons in his lifetime.<\/p>\n
Bravehearts is an organisation which provides child protection training, education programs and specialist child exploitation counselling and support services. To date, Richie has run 13 marathons in total, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. The act of putting all those miles into the legs is but one aspect of how Richie is trying to live an intentional life; one that involves a never-ending process of building mental toughness, through the constant practice of discipline and seeking out the uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think there is really any one way to train to do seven in seven days because you are always balancing the risk of injury versus being over prepared,\u201d Mr Egan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did one a few weeks ago in Canberra and that was all about running fast and getting into the triple seven and now I will focus more on upping the weekly kilometres a bit more but also practicing running when I don\u2019t want to run.\u201d<\/p>\n
To Richie it\u2019s all about getting out of your comfort zone.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to practice being uncomfortable and doing things you don\u2019t want to do,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t mind running when I\u2019m tired and running at times when I would be sleeping as it helps mimic some of the physical and mental challenges I\u2019ll face on the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
To other people thinking about following in his footsteps Richie recommends starting small.<\/p>\n
\u201cStart with one, you need to have a reference point,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Richie is an Australian Army Reservist and says his reservist commitments have complemented his marathon training.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt might sound like a clich\u00e9 but it has helped me build resilience and endurance,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Bravehearts representative Kayleen Johnston said instead of running a marathon in seven different states, the seven marathons this year will take place in seven Queensland locations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were forced to cancel our major fundraiser last year due to COVID-19, so this year, with continued uncertainty around border closures, we wanted to ensure the event would go ahead,\u201d Ms Johnston said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year our national runners will be taking on seven marathons in seven days throughout Queensland including Brisbane, Townsville, and Mount Isa,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The 777 Marathon is the charity\u2019s major annual fundraiser with all funds raised used to support vital counselling and support services, as well as sexual assault prevention programs.<\/p>\n
Kicking off in Toowoomba on June 28, Bravehearts\u2019 777 will work its way through Brisbane, Mount Isa, Cairns, Townsville and Mackay before culminating at the Gold Coast Marathon on July 4.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
RUNNING seven marathons in seven days isn\u2019t for the faint of heart but Geelong local Richard Egan is just warming up. Richie is taking part in Bravehearts\u2019 seventh annual 777 Marathon in June, where 39 runners tackle seven marathons over seven days. The Bravehearts challenge forms part of the 21-year-old\u2019s plan to run 100 marathons […]<\/p>\n